Quick Reaction: Siena runs past Fordham

ALBANY - For about six minutes on Monday evening, the Siena men's basketball team played about as well as it possibly can.

The Saints went on a 22-0 run to turn a 13-point deficit into a lead they wouldn't surrender, eventually knocking off Fordham 79-69, in front of 6,131 fans in downtown Albany.

“It was a pretty big win," said junior Evan Hymes, who finished with 12 points and three assists, off the bench. What it means: Siena doesn't have the best record, but the team has picked up some nice victories, beating two Atlantic 10 teams (Fordham, St. Bonaventure) and knocking off Hofstra here last week.

This team was picked 10th in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference poll, but if they play like they have been over the past few weeks, they will almost certainly finish higher in the standings.Player of the game: Siena coach Jimmy Patsos said it was Hymes' emotion that got the team over the top, but fellow junior Rob Poole was awesome. He scored 20 of the team's first 40 points and finished with a career-high 28. Poole also chipped in six rebounds and helped guard the terrific guards Fordham has. Poole has elevated his game at both ends of the floor and is playing like an all-conference play. Play of the game: Trailing 53-40, the Saints went on a 22-0 run that spanned 6:35. Siena went into a zone defense and the crowd helped spur them on offensively. The Rams couldn't score and the Saints couldn't be stopped.

“Without the fans, we wouldn’t have been as pumped up," said Poole. Up next: Siena only has a few days off before their first game in 2014, at Monmouth, on Thursday. From here on out, it's all MAAC play for the Saints.

Quick Reaction: Siena beats Hofstra

The Saints have been in a number of close games and yet they haven't really played like inexperienced players.

Siena used a balanced effort to get past Hofstra, 67-59, on Friday evening. The Saints are now 3-3, in games decided by eight points or less (two of the losses came to Purdue).

What it means: The Saints have proved they are a better team at home, with a 2-1 record, and having won their past two games. That should bode well for this team, which plays four of its next five on the road, including three MAAC games.

Siena got a lot of balance in this game, having four players in double figures and Marquis Wright adding eight. If they can get that kind of balance, they will be a tough team to defend, come the return of conference play. Player of the game: Rob Poole didn't have a terrific game offensively, but he finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. In addition, he guarded Hofstra's top player Zeke Upshaw, who had a miserable game, going 2-for-17 from the field and finishing with just seven points.Play of the game: After Dion Nesmith drained a 3-pointer to cut Siena's lead to 53-51,
Wright got an open look at calmly drained a 3-pointer to put the Saints
back five. Wright was just 2-for-10 from beyond the arc coming into the
game, but didn't hesitate to let it fly.

On that play, Patsos moved Evan Hymes to the point guard position and that allowed Wright to find himself open.Injury Update: Freshman Javion Ogunyemi played for the first time in a month, after suffering an ankle injury in the St. Bonaventure game. While he finished with zero points (0-3 shooting), he played 12 minutes and had two rebounds.

“I just have to work on my conditioning and my game will get back to where it needs to be," he said.

Up next: The Saints are off for a week before they host Fordham, in the final non-conference game of the year.

Siena 67, Hofstra 59

ALBANY - The Siena men's basketball team closed out another game on Friday evening.

The Saints held the lead throughout the second half, despite Hofstra constantly coming closer and closer, to post a 67-59 victory.Maurice White, Lavon Long and Rob Poole all scored 14 points for the Saints (4-8).

The Pride (3-7) were led by Jamall Robinson, who scored a career-high 16.

Quick Reaction: UAlbany's balance beats Yale

ALBANY - The University at Albany used its most balanced effort on Friday evening, to take down Yale, 70-62, at SEFCU Arena.

The Great Danes had three guys in double figures, led by DJ Evans, who scored 14. Nine different players scored for UAlbany, including Dallas Ennema, who scored his first points in his first career game action.

What it means: UAlbany is now 2-2 at home and 5-0 this season, when scoring 70 or more points in a game. It also means the Great Danes won't suffer any sort extended losing streak, heading into conference play, with just non-league games left.

Yale is another good team and UAlbany didn't play its best and still led by 10, with as little at 2:17 to play.

This was a good, solid victory.

Player of the game: Luke Devlin has dealt with more injuries that I even remember and yet the senior played his best game of the season. Constantly moving, even when he was out of the game, Devlin scored nine points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists.

An all-rookie guy as a freshman, Devlin has been plagued by injuries and it was nice to see him put out a nice performance.Play of the game: The Great Danes made their free throws down the stretch. In fact, UAlbany's last 10 points came from the free throw line, as they hung on, despite a ferocious press from Yale in the late stages. John Puk also did a great job receiving the inbounds and then making some foul shots, finishing with 13 points, one shy of his career-high.

Injury Update: Levan Shengelia gutted it out for two minutes, scoring two points and grabbing a rebound. On the rebound though, he reinjured his right shoulder. Coach Will Brown said Shengelia felt a sharp pain and that's what Brown elected not to put him back in the game. That shoulder will have to have surgery, it's just a matter of when.

Up next: The Great Danes head out of town tomorrow and take on Drake on Monday evening. The game is a homecoming of sorts for Ennema and Puk, who are both from Iowa.

UAlbany 70, Yale 62

ALBANY - The University at Albany got a lot of different contributions on Friday evening and it led to a nice home victory.

The Great Danes are now 5-0 when scoring 70 or more points this season and are 2-2 at home.Luke Devlin played tremendously, scoring nine points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out four assists. John Puk (13 points) and Dallas Ennema (8 points).

The Bulldogs were led by Javier Duren, who scored a game-high 26 points.

Quick Reaction: Colgate shoots past UAlbany

ALBANY - The UAlbany players and coaches knew what Colgate was going to do on Saturday evening. They just couldn't stop them.

The Raiders knocked down 13 3-pointers, leaving the Capital District with a 69-60 victory. Colgate shot 13-for-28 (46.4%) from beyond the arc and got treys from six different players.

What it means: UAlbany better not run into too many more good shooting teams. In their last two home games, they've allowed 27 3-pointers -- way to many.

It also means that this team hasn't quite figured everything out. They didn't score a lot and they didn't get to the free throw line nearly as much as they did against Brown, just four days ago. Player of the game: Murphy Burnatowski knows UAlbany from his Maine days and he made the Great Danes pay. While Austin Tillotson was the team's leading scorer, it was Burnatowski who hit five 3-pointers and led the way with 19 points. UAlbany player of the game: Sam Rowley incredibly airballed a free throw, something coach Will Brown said he had never see the junior do, even in practice. But still Rowley put up good numbers, scoring a game-high 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. He wasn't his best, but he was still the reason the Great Danes had a chance at the end. Play of the game: More than one play. Colgate hit four consecutive three's late in the game, to turn a 54-52 lead into a 66-56 advantage. Triples from Tillotson, Burnatowski, Damon Sherman-Newsome and Tillotson again put the game out of reach. Injury update: UAlbany lost more than a game on Saturday evening. Coach Brown said that Levan Shengelia had dislocated his shoulder on Thursday, resulting in a torn labrum. He may be able to play through the pain, but also may end up being shut down. Also, Luke Devlin's back is so bad that he basically can only play one shift in the first half and that's it. Finally, Anthony Odunsi still has yet to be cleared to play, after suffering a concussion in practice. He may also be shut down for the year, if he can't get cleared to play relatively soon. Up next: The Great Danes are off until next Friday, when they host Yale at SEFCU Arena. The team is 1-2 this season at home and will have to start some steam, as conference play grows near.

Tommy Kahnle goes to Rockies in Rule 5 Draft

The Shaker High grad was selected in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft by the Colorado Rockies at the end of the Winter Meetings.

The right-hander was left unprotected by the New York Yankees, but now must stay on the 25-man roster throughout the 2014 season with Colorado, or he will be offered back to New York.

Kahnle (seen working out at AllStars Academy in Latham, in January), 24, pitched this past season at Double-A Trenton, finishing with 15 saves and striking out 74 in 60 innings pitched. He did walk 46 batters, but held opponents to a .182 batting average.

The Rockies paid $50,000 to make the selection.

“We’ve had interest in him for a couple of years now in various means of acquisition,” Colorado’s director of professional scouting, Jon Weil, said in a statement. “Any time you can jump on a guy who has a chance to have impact, we’re wanting to do that. We’re glad he was there.”

Kahnle, who was a fifth round pick of the Yankees in 2010 from Lynn University, has posted an 11.82 strikeouts-per-nine-inning rate since the start of the 2011 season. His fastball has been clocked in the high-90s and now the Rockies will just have to harness that power and work on his control.

Kahnle was ranked No. 20 among Yankees prospects by MLB.com, entering 2013 season. He was with the Yankees at spring training last year, but the 6-foot-1, 230-pound hurler spent the season as Trenton’s closer.

Kahnle was one of just nine players selected in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 draft, with 45 players being taken overall.

The Yankees also lost pitchers Felipe Gonzalez, Kelvin Castro and Mikey O’Brien and outfielder Ravel Santana. O’Brien (Cincinnati), Gonzalez (Pittsburgh) and Santana (Houston) were chosen in the Triple-A portion, while Castro was taken in the Double-A phase by Miami.

"The 2015 NCAA Women's Basketball Regional is a landmark sporting event
for the Capital Region," said Siena College director of athletics John
D'Argenio, in a release. "The bid process was more competitive than ever. The
NCAA selected Times Union Center because of the great fans in the area,
and first class job Siena, the Arena and MAAC have done hosting NCAA
Championships in the past. I know Siena basketball fans will enjoy
seeing NCAA Tournament basketball played in Albany on our home court."

The event should be a big one, as the team to emerge from Albany, will be headed to the Final Four.

Gattuso tied to Albany area through Vellano's

ALBANY - Before Greg Gattuso even took the head coaching job at the University at Albany, he had ties to the Capital District.

Gattuso coached Rexford native Joe Vellano, currently a member of the New England Patriots, at the University of Maryland.

“We talk pretty regularly," said Gattuso, who introduced as the successor to Bob Ford, on Wednesday.

Vellano even called his former defensive line coach recently to talk about schemes that the Patriots are using and how he could be more effective in them.

“What a great kid," Gattuso said of Vellano, who was The Record's 2006 Defensive Player of the Year, when he helped lead Christian Brothers Academy to the Section II Class AA Super Bowl.

Vellano has always been trying to get the advantage and outwork the opponents. On Maryland's tip sheet, Gattuso even wrote in big red letters, "Do not bother Coach Stewart during the game." They called it the Vellano Rule.

Coach Stewart was Defensive Coordinator Brian Stewart and Vellano would try to get his ear about different ways to attack the offense.

Joe Vellano's name is on the facing below Byrd Stadium's upper deck at Maryland, a place where all of the All-Americans are recognized. So is his father, Paul Vellano Sr. According to Maryland, they are the first father-son All-America combo at the same school in ACC history and one of just four known in FBS history (Florida - Lee and Travis McGriff, Georgia - Kevin and Drew Butler, Old Miss - Archie and Eli Manning).

“What a joy," Gattuso said about the entire family.

Drew Smith, who played at UAlbany and was on the search committee contacted both Vellano and Albany's Dion Lewis, who played for Gattuso at Pitt, as he became one of the five finalists to next lead the Great Danes.

“Vellano couldn’t stop talking about him," said Smith.

Vellano has 47 tackles and one sack for the Patriots this season. When his playing days are over, whenever that may be, he could have a job waiting for him -- maybe even at UAlbany.

“Joe sees everything," Gattuso said. "Some day when he wants to get into
coaching, I’ll be the first one in line."

Breaking: Greg Gattuso next UAlbany coach

ALBANY >> The University at Albany has apparently found the successor to legendary coach Bob Ford.

The University will announce on Monday that Maryland assistant head coach Greg Gattuso will be named the next head coach of the Great Danes.

Gattuso, who spent the past three seasons on Randy Edsall’s staff with the Terrapins, will be formally introduced as UAlbany’s coach on Tuesday.

Reports of Gattuso’s hiring were made early on Saturday and it was confirmed by multiple sources to The Record, later in the afternoon.

Gattuso was promoted to assistant head coach at Maryland in February 2012, having first worked exclusively as the defensive line coach. A member of the 1982 national championship Penn State squad, Gattuso also worked as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh (2005-10) and the head coach at Duquesne (1993-2004).

Gattuso emerged from a group of five that included former UAlbany assistant Pete Rossomando, former Delaware coach K.C. Keeler, Holy Cross assistant Antoine Smith and current UAlbany associate head coach Ryan McCarthy.

Ford announced in August that this would be his 44th and final year as coach of the Great Danes. UAlbany finished 1-11 in 2013, in their first season in the Colonial Athletic Association. Ford retired as the winningest active coach in Division I college football, with a final record of 265-190-1.

The MLB Draft takes place on Thursday, June 5. The typical format would have to first two rounds take place on the first day, so Hoffman will likely be off the board before the weekend comes. Rounds 3-10 are on Friday and the remaining 30 rounds take place on Saturday.

Scouting Grades* (future): Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60 | Overall: 70
Hoffman went undrafted as a senior at an upstate New York high school in
2011, but he drew six-figure free-agent offers from pro teams after
starring that August at the Connie Mack World Series in Farmington, N.M.
He stamped himself as a potential 2014 first-rounder when he hit 95 mph
during the 2012 Cape Cod League All-Star Game, and reaffirmed that
status with another strong performance in the Cape this summer.
Hoffman hasn't fully grown into his lanky 6-foot-4 frame, yet he already
works in the mid-90s and hits 98 mph with his fastball. His
big-breaking curveball can be equally devastating, and while his
changeup lacks consistency, it can be a plus pitch at times. He throws a
decent amount of strikes but will need to refine his command to become a
frontline starter in the big leagues.
If anyone will dethrone North Carolina State left-hander Carlos Rodon as
the No. 1 overall choice in the 2014 Draft, it likely will be Hoffman.

On Tuesday, coach Jimmy Patsos said this team needs to work better as a "we" and think less about the "me."

"We have to be careful in thinking one player is going to take us out of
the situation that's occurred the last few years," he said. "We're doing fine.
Organizations win."

Patsos said he spoke with Hymes on Monday about how he likes that he's been solid since being removed from the starting lineup and is helping to lead the younger guys.

"I really respect Evan for handling coming off the bench well," said Patsos.

He also said that he didn't fault Hymes for trying to do something late in the game, even though he would have preferred Hymes didn't try to do it all himself. Patsos also said it certainly wasn't Hymes alone that lost the game.

"No he didn't," Patsos said. "He's trying hard. He made a shot (attempt) to put us ahead."

Patsos said that Athletic Director John D'Argenio told him to plan out the work and then start working the plan.

"No one guy's going to say 'We're back, we're Siena and I did it,'" Patsos said. "It's
going to be a 'We did it' and it's going to be a 'We did it', in terms of
this great school the 25 years of great tradition and this great
community."

Hymes said he spoke with former Siena player Conner Fenlon, when the team was down in Florida. Fenlon was a part of the 2008 team that also lost three games at Olld Spice and was reminding Hymes that team went on to win the league championship.

"That just shows you the MAAC championship is where you want to be and you want to be playing your best coming into March," said Hymes.

While the team is just 2-7, the Saints have shown flashes that they can make a run come conference time.

"We just have to keep playing hard and playing well together," said junior Rob Poole.

Gary Johnson's return gives UAlbany a lift

ALBANY - Before Sunday's game against New Jersey Institute of Technology, Gary Johnson couldn't feel his foot.

The trainer had wrapped his rolled ankle so tightly that the senior couldn't feel anything.

Coach Will Brown told him that was a good thing, but Johnson who hasn't had to deal with too many injuries in his career was nervous, when he got out on the court.

After missing two games, due to an ankle sprain against Duquesne, Johnson didn't look nervous.

He scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench, giving the Great Danes a lift.

"He was good," said Brown.

Johnson got heavily into the mix at the end of last season and was a big reason why the team won the America East and advanced all the way to the NCAA tournament, so getting him back from injury was a big deal.

“It’s great to have him back," said sophomore Peter Hooley.

Johnson's length makes him one of the most versatile players on the team and his athleticism is near the top of the team.

“We’re a completely different team (with him)," Hooley said. "He’s our best perimeter
defender and he’s a great slasher offensively."

Johnson's absence actually allowed fellow senior David Wiegmann to pick up more minutes and allowed some of the bench players to get more comfortable on the floor for UAlbany.

"I think having Gary out allowed David to get more comfortable out there," Brown said. "Now, having Gary back, I think we have some really good balance out there."

Johnson wasn't quite in terrific shape, having not had much practice time since injuring the ankle, but he still provided the team with some solid play.

"He made a bunch of plays for us, especially defensively," said Brown.

Johnson won't start on Wednesday against Holy Cross, again coming off the bench. Another injury update is that transfer Anthony Odunsi will be out for at least another week, after suffering a concussion in practice and missing the past two games.

UAlbany Athletics

One thing Brown isn't too thrilled about is rebounding. A statistic that is usually a staple of UAlbany teams since Brown has been at the helm has just been so-so this season.

The Great Danes are just plus-1.3 so far this season, something Brown would like to see improvement on.

"We have to rebound better," he said.

Even though UAlbany is over .500, the Great Danes haven't played a complete game yet this year, according to the players. The team has played 20 good minutes here and played 30 solid minutes against Rider last week. They have actually trailed, at halftime, in six of the seven games so far this season.

“It is encouraging to know that we have these spurts where we
play really good basketball, Hooley said. "And when we don’t have good spurts, we become good
when we need to.”

Still, it's something Coach Brown acknowledged, earlier in the year, that will catch up with them eventually.

About Me

Andrew Santillo is a sports reporter at The Record in Troy, New York. Originally from Niskayuna, Andrew graduated from Ithaca College in 2005 with a degree in journalism. He currently resides in Albany.